Synopsis and Reviews

Synopsis of The Karaoke World of Cortous Haire by Bjorn Turmann

One man’s adventure tale that is comic, tragic, outrageous and heart-warming, The Karaoke World of Cortous Haire stretches from Singapore at the time of the turbulent ’97 Asian economic crisis to Thailand and Laos at the uncertainty of the new millennium.

Possessing no job and very little money, university graduate Cortous Haire lands in Singapore in early 1997 and finds employment as a karaoke video marketing executive with a local firm. When his boss suggests that they need to “find a star and make her big in Laos”, Cortous’s story becomes a series of experiences and obsessions, mysteries and calamities that eventually lead him to deeper inquiries about life and how to live it.

The world’s first novel about karaoke or a karaoke novel about the world’s firsts? With originality and purpose, The Karaoke World of Cortous Haire calls out to all generations who have left home in order to seek something that, at the time, they never thought they’d ever find.

What they're saying about the book....

“Slick and sassy…A free-wheeling, fast moving fantasy world. I loved every zany minute of it.”

Andrew Hicks, author of Thai Girl

“Turmann shows us what he’s capable of by creating a new genre of literature: Quirky Southeast Asia Fiction. Well drawn characters, occasional stunning plot twists…a fascinating read.”

Lois Ann Dort, 2Magazine

 "Turmann's vivid depiction of Southeast Asia serves as a dynamic backdrop for a story that is at once poignant and surreal."

Kevin O’Rourke, author of Reformasi

“An off-beat karaoke thriller from an author who injects his vivid imagination into every scene. You’ll never look at karaoke in the same way again."

Stephen Leather, best selling author of Private Dancer and 18 other novels

 “An intelligent, thought provoking novel infused with memorable energy and the author’s unique wit.”

  Maurice Taylor, co-author of The New Couple

“An engaging, often comical travelogue….the surreal otherworldliness of karaoke is the perfect running metaphor for Cortous’s adventures in a part of the world that will entice readers at every turn.”

J.P. Zingrone, freelance reviewer, Toronto Star